Making Turquoise and Crystal Bead Bracelet

Things you'll needs:

3 large oval turquoise beads

3 Swarovski crystal 8mm cube beads in Indicolite color (dark aqua)

6 Swarovski crystal 8mm round beads, in Aquamarine color (light aqua)

Sterling silver wire, half hard in gauge that fits through bead holes (I used 24G)

2 short lengths of flexible beading wire like Soft Flex or Beadalon. Enough for 2 lengths of bracelet plus a few extra inches to work with.

4 crimp beads

1 headpin for attaching cube charm

1 decorative sterling silver toggle clasp

Optional - 2 crimp bead covers

STEP 1

Wire wrap the turquoise and crystal cubes

Use the "making a wire wrapped chain" technique and your sterling silver half-hard wire to attach a chain of beads together in this order:

a - 1 turquoise oval bead
b - 1 crystal cube bead
c - 1 turquoise oval bead
d - 1 crystal cube bead
e - 1 turquoise oval bead

STEP 2

String round crystals, crimp ends and attach the clasp

We will be attaching a length of flexible beading wire to either end of our beaded chain, stringing three round crystals on each side, and on each of the ends we will attach our clasp using crimp beads.

First attach the beading wire to the one end of the beaded chain using a crimp bead. Next, slide three crystal beads onto the wire, then attach that end to one side of the clasp using a crimp bead. Repeat on the other side. Here are detailed instructions for how to do the crimps:

Slide a crimp bead onto the wire, feed the wire through the clasp loop, then back through the crimp bead. Pull the wire snug, and crimp the bead closed. Follow the How to Use Crimp Beads instructions if you are not familiar with this technique. Repeat on other side, making sure you pull the wire tight to beads before crimping.

TIPS

Because this is a toggle clasp, you will want to leave a little "play" in the wire so the clasp is easy to put on, so leave a little room where the loop of wire attaches to the clasp. Cut off remaining tails of wire with flush cutters.
As an option, try the new crimp bead covers to hide crimps for an even more finished look.

STEP 3

Attach cube charm bead

I always like to add a little detail to my bracelets, and in this design we will attach one cube bead charm as a way to balance the color and complete the design with that added touch.

Slide the last cube crystal onto a headpin and make a loop at the top with your round nose pliers. Loop this through the end loop on the toggle clasp and close the loop.

For more Tutorials about Jewelry Making, visit http://www.making-jewelry.com

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